New Zealand Passport Photo: check yours against the official spec
A New Zealand passport photo for online applications is a digital photo between 900 x 1200 and 4500 x 6000 pixels in a 3:4 ratio, between 250 KB and 5 MB, taken within the last 6 months against a plain light-coloured background with strong contrast. It cannot be a selfie or a scan of a print, and the official rule is: do not edit, apply filters, or use AI tools. Printed photos are 35 x 45 mm with the head about 80% of the image height.
Use a clear, front-facing photo against a plain white wall in even light. We measure and crop it. We never edit the pixels you submit.
New Zealand passport photo requirements
| Photo size | 1 3/8 × 1 3/4 inches (35 × 45 mm) |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to top of hair) | 1 3/8 to 1 1/2 in (34 to 38 mm) |
| Eye height from bottom | 3/4 to 1 1/8 in (19 to 30 mm) |
| Background | plain light-coloured (not white for prints), strong contrast |
| Digital file | JPEG, at least 900 × 900 px |
Common reasons a New Zealand passport photo is rejected
- The photo is a selfie or a scan of a print. The photographer should stand about 1.5 metres away with the camera at eye level.
- The photo has been edited, filtered, or touched by AI tools. The official rule says do not edit, apply filters, or use AI tools.
- Tinted or thick-framed glasses, glare on the lenses, or no clear gap between the eyes and the frames. Prescription glasses are otherwise allowed.
- The digital file is outside the 900 x 1200 to 4500 x 6000 pixel range, or outside the 250 KB to 5 MB size range, or the photo is more than 6 months old.
“Photos must not be changed using computer software, phone apps or filters, or artificial intelligence.”
U.S. Department of State, passport photo requirements
Photo rejections are common, and you pay twice
A rejected photo means a delayed application and paying again for a retake. It's one of the most common problems people hit when applying, and it's exactly what this tool is built to catch before you submit:
- r/Passports: the many reasons photos get rejected →
- r/travel: struggling to get a visa photo under the file-size limit →
- MoneySavingExpert: a rejected UK passport photo and the redo →
We measure your photo against the official spec, never AI-edit it (itself a rejection reason as of 2026), and back it accepted-or-your-money-back.
What a passport photo really costs
The photo is the cheap part. The expensive part is a rejection: redo fees, another queue, and a delayed application or trip. Here is the honest comparison:
| Pharmacy or retail (CVS, Walgreens)$16 to $17 per attempt | No compliance guarantee. A rejection means paying and queueing again. |
|---|---|
| USPS photo serviceabout $15 | Same deal: rejected means a second visit and a second fee. |
| Cheap online photo editors$1 to $3 | Most replace your background with software. Edited photos are a documented rejection reason for the US, UK and Canada since 2026, and refunds usually cover technical failures only. |
| Compliant Passport PhotoFree check. $9 only if it passes | We measure and crop your original, never edit it. Accepted or your money back. |
Retail prices are typical 2026 US prices and vary by location. Our guarantee: accepted or your money back.
Frequently asked questions
What are the digital requirements for a New Zealand passport photo?
Between 900 x 1200 and 4500 x 6000 pixels in a 3:4 ratio, with a file size between 250 KB and 5 MB, taken within the last 6 months.
Can I take a New Zealand passport photo myself?
Not as a selfie. Someone else must take the photo, standing about 1.5 metres away with the camera at your eye level. Scans of printed photos are not accepted either.
Can I wear glasses in a New Zealand passport photo?
Prescription glasses are allowed if they are not tinted or thick-framed, there is a clear gap between your eyes and the frames, and there is no glare.
What background does a New Zealand passport photo need?
A plain light-coloured background with strong contrast against you. For printed photos the background should not be white.
What are the rules for baby passport photos in New Zealand?
Babies can be photographed from above while lying on a plain light-coloured sheet. Their eyes must be open and nobody else can be visible in the photo.